Chapter Twelve
Christian noticed his body go rigid.
"What is it," asked Christian?
"I've been dreading this all day, but I can't hold it back any longer," said Anna.
Was Anna about to shift? He hoped they would have switched back by then. No one should go through this if they didn't have to. What was he supposed to do, guide her like his mother did for him? It was still his body. Maybe he could show her how to control it? No, that would be impossible, for her she wouldn't know what to expect.
"What's happening, are you changing?"
"What? No, I have to go to the bathroom."
Anna watched her eyes widened and they both looked down at the offender and back up at each other. Christian almost preferred the transformation, but he knew that would have been a worse fate.
"Okay, shall we," said Christian.
Christian's body stood in front of the toilet and Anna's body stood beside him. They could do this. It was more about calming Anna down then anything else. After a few awkward attempts, she finally got the hang of it. He made a note to apologize to his cleaning staff when he was back in his body again.
Grace sat in her living room and thought about Anna. Someone was going to come for her soon. If she were to guess, it would probably be her father. It would be easy for a Fae to fake his own death. A shell of his body would still be at rest. Grace was not worried about Anna? Like Christian and all of her children, they all were raised among humans and were good people. Grace was worried about the other Fae. The body swap was enough to deal with, but Fae were not known to be benevolent. At best they were warriors, at worst they were selfish powerful beings that could ruin a creature in an instant. They especially, hated werewolves because we didn't go down without a fight. Their wounds would heal, but they would remember their battle with a werewolf.
The Fae were one of the creatures to leave this realm and it was thought that they abandoned this world long ago. Now there was proof that the Fae did visit this realm and one of the left a child behind. Her powers were obviously hidden for a reason. What did this all mean? Grace smelled Mia at the front door and turned on the TV to offer a pitiful distraction.
Mia walked in smelling like a shower as usual. Mia's sexual liaisons were the least of Grace's worries at the moment. Grace was young once and she left it at that. She only hoped her daughter would discover her mate and know what true love and commitment felt like. Mia sat down on the couch beside her mother.
"What's wrong," asked Mia?
Grace wished she could say something, but she agreed with Christian that it was better for them to keep this concern quiet for now. She smiled at her daughter.
"It's Christian, isn't it?"
Mia knew her mother worried about them all equally, but she had a certain weariness when it came to Christian. Christian had been through a lot during the first couple of years of his life and Grace knew that Christian never truly healed from it. Christian only showed his vulnerability to their mother. Mia hoped he was okay. Maybe she should take him out to lunch sometime so they could talk? He wouldn't tell her much, but she knew him well enough to read his tells. If he was in trouble, she would be able to sniff it out easily.
"Everything is fine, I'm just thinking too much," said Grace.
Mia smiled at her mother.
"Okay, I'll drop it."
Grace was grateful that Mia didn't push Grace to tell her anything. When did her girl grow up?
"Are you worried about me?"
Grace laughed.
"I haven't been worried about you for a long time, sweetie."
"Ouch."
"You know what I mean. You know who you are and what you want. What do I have to worry about?"
Mia wanted to cry. Mia thought her mother resented her for leaving for all those years ago, but she didn't resent her at all. She hugged her mother. It must have been too tight since she heard her mother groan, she let go of her.
"Sorry."
"Its fine, what was that for?"
"For being the best mom in the world..."
"Oh, well do I win something?"
"Ah, grandkids?"
Grace eyes widened.
"Not now! I meant in the future."
Grace calmed down and chuckled. She didn't smell anything or hear a second heartbeat so she knew Mia was telling the truth.
"Just making sure."
Christian wore one of his old shirts; his pants didn't fit so he planned to sleep in just the shirt. Anna wouldn't let him sleep naked because she thought it would be too weird to see her body naked all night. Anna wore a shirt and sweatpants, but she didn't wear any underwear. She didn't tell Christian that fact though. The both stood at either side of the bed and looked at each other. This was going to be weird. Both slid in the bed and turned away from each other.
"Christian," asked Anna?
"Yes, Anna," said Christian.
"I don't think I can sleep like this."
"Then turn around."
They turned to face each other. For a moment, they each other for who they actually were. It would be so tempting to make love, but could they? Christian watched his eyes lower and Christian had his answer.
"Good night, Anna," said Christian.
"Good night."
They closed their eyes and drifted to sleep easily. Living in another person's body was surprisingly tiring. Throughout the night, they moved closer to each other and eventually, Christian's arm wrapped around Anna's waist. Their bodies relaxed even more in each other's arms.
Anna woke up first and noticed that something long and thick was in Christian's face. She opened her eyes and realized that her hair was less than an inch away from her. She moved Christian's head back and looked down at how his arm was wrapped around her waist. She lightly scooted back, turned to face the clock on the bedroom dresser. Her body had five more minutes to sleep before she had to convince Christian that he needed to go to work today. Christian's time was now up. Anna stood up and nudged Anna's body. She accidently nudged her body too hard as Anna's body was rolled onto her face. Christian sat up quickly; Anna's hair was now all over her face. Christian pushed the hair back.
"Are you okay," asked Christian?
"Are you okay," asked Anna. "I didn't mean to push you that hard."
"I'm fine. What time is it?"
"It's time to go to work."
Christian fell back on the bed and groaned. He had agreed to do this. He wouldn't hear the end of it otherwise. Anna planned stay home and research while Christian spent eight to ten hours taking order from Jack, a man he already disliked. He would run his businesses remotely during breaks, lunch and after Anna's shift.
"We'll get dressed and go back to my place. If we meet Kate when she's too busy to think, it'll buy us some more time."
"Or we can order..."
"We don't have time."
Christian knew from Anna's tone that their discussion had ended. Anna watched her face pout as her body stood up and walked to the bathroom.
"I love you, honey," said Anna.
"Love you too," said Christian.
Christian and Anna sat in the back seat as Taylor drove to Anna and Kate's apartment. Christian dressed in Anna's old clothes and Anna was dressed in a royal blue suit that Christian didn't even know he had purchased. It was a little too flashy for his tastes, but it was her choice. He planned to do the same thing when he looked through her closet. Taylor parked the car in front of the apartment. Anna turned toward Christian.
"Just make it quick. Kate barely talks in the morning. If you don't draw attention to yourself, we'll be fine."
"Okay."
"What about you," asked Christian?
Christian saw himself smile.
"You forgot about yesterday," asked Anna? "Trust me, she won't suspect a thing."
Christian heard how Anna's tone changed when she said 'she won't suspect a thing.' If only she could read financial reports, then he could send her to his office.
Christian walked awkwardly in Anna's heels and Anna held her body's arm to keep Christian from falling.
"Please tell me you have flats," asked Christian?
"No, but I do have lower heels, it'll be easier, promise," said Anna.
Kate was surprised to see Anna and Christian standing at the door. Anna had her keys in her hand, but didn't open the door yet. Kate scoffed at both of them.
"Well, played, Anna," said Kate.
Kate walked to the kitchen counter to pick up her purse. She did not have time to scold Anna for her irresponsible behavior. Kate gave Christian a look before walking toward the door. Christian's eyes looked off after Kate stared at her. It made Kate pause.
"Is something wrong," asked Kate?
"No," said Anna and Christian.
Kate shook her head. She didn't have time for this. Kate wasn't surprised to see that Anna and Christian were back together, but Anna needed to stay focused. She wasn't in college anymore with a lot of time on her hands. Christian may be able to afford to take care of Anna, but that wasn't the point. Anna wanted to run a publishing company someday and she wouldn't do that if she stopped working hard.
"You're both adults. Anna, you and I will have words later. Christian, it's nice to see you again."
Anna and Christian stepped out of Kate's way as she walked past them. She took her cell phone out and reviewed her to do list for the day. She knew it was only tentative, things changed fast at her job.
Anna closed the door and both of them exhaled.
"We have to hurry, come on," said Anna.
Christian followed his body to Anna's room. When he stepped in the room, he stopped by the door frame. Anna turned around; they didn't have time for this.
"What's wrong now," asked Anna?
Anna saw a sad look on her face.
"I never thought I'd see this room," said Christian.
Anna's heart sank. Christian was still hurt by what she had done. She walked up to her body and gently pulled her into the bedroom.
"I'm here now and you can't keep me away. I have powers now, remember?"
A tear fell down Anna's eye. Christian jumped and wiped the tear away.
"That wasn't me," said Christian.
"Of course not," said Anna.
Anna walked to the closet and opened it. She picked out a purple fitted dress and bent down to pick up black low heeled shoes. When Anna turned to face Christian, she saw her arm's folded.
"What?"
"I can pick out my own clothes, Anna."
"Do you want me to put the shoes back?"
Anna saw how her eyes looked down at the shoes.
"I'm not talking about the shoes."
"What's wrong with this?"
"I want to wear pants."
Anna sighed.
"I don't have dress pants, would a skirt work?"
"Yes, thank you and a large top."
Christian saw his face grimace, but he didn't care. If Anna wanted to wear a loud suit, then he could dress comfortable at work. Maybe she will release how nice she looks in it.
"I don't have time to argue, but for now, you can wear this."
Anna pushed her new clothes to the side and found an old outfit she wore in college; a large white blouse and a black and white square print skirt.
"Thank you," said Christian.
Anna held her hand one last time before Christian stepped out of the car.
"You can do this," said Anna. "If you need anything; just text me, okay?"
"I'll be fine," said Christian.
Anna gave him a look.
"But I will contact you if necessary."
"Okay."
They kissed each other and Taylor opened Christian's door. Anna watched as Christian stepped out of the car and walked through the office door. This was going to be a day to remember.
Thanks for reading! Jack is going to get the surprise of his life if he tries anything with Anna today. Anna may find out some things about her people she doesn't like, but she will be strong enough to handle it. Her main issue will be learning how to control her powers as they develop in the story.
As always, I appreciate your reviews, comments and constructive criticism.
